EX-BOXER Matt Weir, who with brothers Johnny and Jimmy formed a locally famous 1930s' fighting force, has died aged 78.

A widower, Mr Weir had worked as a miner at Mosley Common Colliery. He died last week in his sleep at his home in Somerset Avenue, Tyldesley.

Surviving member of the boxing trio, Jimmy, 76, told The Journal:"He never trained but if somebody arranged a match he'd fight. Win or lose he didn't mind and he had quite a few fights, winning as many as he lost.

"He didn't take it as seriously as me and our Johnny, but because we were boxing he'd have a do. But his years in the sport left him punch-drunk with slurred speech."

The funeral was on Thursday at Tyldesley Parish Church.

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